4.0
Pros: The view of the Pacific coast. Cons: I would have appreciated a map of the train, for example, where the snack bar and the observation deck was. Tips: Direct trains reduce the chances of missing connections.
Lowest Prices
We partner with the top coach & train carriers to bring you the best deals.
Best Travel Options
We help you find & compare the best buses & trains in one place.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
Trip Summary
You can pick from 5 daily train trips between Oxnard and Salinas. The average train journey from Oxnard to Salinas takes 6 hours and 28 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 6 hours and 11 minutes.
| Distance | 221 mi (356 km) |
| Fastest train | 6h 11m |
| Lowest price | £32.99 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 2 |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Overall score for trains from Oxnard to Salinas
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
4.0
What is the price of a train ticket from Oxnard to Salinas?
In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from Oxnard to Salinas was £57.13. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to Salinas if you book your train tickets at least 12 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra £5.25.
Monthly average prices
You can find the lowest prices on this route during January. This time of year offers the best deals on train tickets from Oxnard to Salinas, with the average price at just £39. Train tickets on this route are most expensive in March, when the average price goes up to £49. You can still score cheap deals below this average price, though, especially if you plan ahead and book your ticket in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
Planning ahead pays off when it comes to booking your train trip from Oxnard to Salinas. By reserving your ticket on Wanderu at least 12 days before departure, you can save around £5.25. Don't miss out on these savings — book in advance!
Which train should you take from Oxnard to Salinas?
2 train services operate from Oxnard to Salinas. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 4 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 4 | 6h 24m | £64.93 |
| Amtrak Coast Starlight | 1 | 6h 48m | £54.46 |
Amtrak is the largest passenger railroad service in America, offering daily intercity trains to hundreds of destinations across the contiguous United States, as well as several cities in Canada. Every Amtrak train comes equipped with comfortable seats with extra legroom, as well as several four-seat areas with tables in the middle. In addition, each car has a freshly cleaned restroom, free WiFi and power outlets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there are 4 Amtrak trains from Oxnard to Salinas every day, as well as 5 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £52.
The Coast Starlight is an Amtrak train that travels the entire length of the West Coast, connecting Los Angeles to Seattle. The route starts hugging the California coastline, treating passengers to swoon-worthy views of the Pacific, before continuing into the verdant forests of the Cascade Mountains. The Coast Starlight indisputably earns its spot among the most scenic Amtrak train routes. Seating options include Coach or Business Class and roomettes or bedrooms for extra space. A trip from Oxnard to Salinas takes 6 hours and 48 minutes on average, and Coach tickets start at £33.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Oxnard to Salinas. However, there are also some trips on this route that require you to board another vehicle, such as a bus or a shuttle, during your journey. This is worth paying attention to as you book your trip, since a direct train may be preferable for its speed and convenience.
The distance between Oxnard and Salinas is approximately 221 miles, or 356 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 6 hours and 28 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 6 hours and 11 minutes.
Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
Trains departing from Oxnard to Salinas tend to have the most passengers on Friday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Friday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Sunday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Oxnard at 06:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 20:00. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
There are 5 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Oxnard to Salinas. In contrast, taking a non-direct train would require you to transfer trains during your trip.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Salinas to Oxnard.
City Information
Oxnard
Just west of Los Angeles, Oxnard is a coastal city popular for its art, beaches, and nature. Oxnard's location makes it a great base for exploring the warm waters of the Pacific and the beautiful nearby Channel Islands. You'll also find a wealth of interesting museums and historical attractions, such as the Carnegie Art Museum and Heritage Square. The Collection at Riverpark is the city's most popular shopping and dining outlet, and don't miss the many vineyards in the area to taste some classic Californian wine.
The Channel Islands are a destination for wildlife encounters, thanks to boat tours to see whales, dolphins, and seals. Or, spend the day hiking around one of the islands — they do comprise one of the most instagrammable National Parks, after all! Visitors also enjoy relaxing on both Mandalay and Oxnard State beaches which are good for surfing and sunbathing on the mainland.
The city of Oxnard is a major transportation hub, and bus companies like Greyhound or FlixBus traverse the Ventura Freeway 101 or Pacific Coast Highway to destinations along the West Coast. Metrolink provides services into LA, while Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner and Coast Starlight both stop in Oxnard daily.
Salinas
Image credit: Unsplash
Salinas is a city in California popularly known as the Salad Bowl of the World- though the nickname is about more than healthy food. The city has a vibrant agriculture industry, pristine farmland, historic sites, and plenty of greenery. As an agriculture-based city, it's not surprising that there are a lot of outdoor areas to visit, from Natividad Creek Park to the Creekbridge Neighborhood Park. In addition, history lovers in Salinas can visit the National Steinbeck Center and Monterey & Salinas Valley Railroad Museum for their interactive exhibits, while Salinas Valley Art Gallery appeals to art lovers.
For wine lovers in Salinas, there is a wide range of wineries and vineyards in the city, with popular choices being the Chateau Sinnet Winery and Vineyard, and SMD Vineyards. Visitors to the city can check out the nightclubs, lounges, and bowling centers. Salinas organizes festivals throughout the year, like the Monthly Art Market & Artisan Fair and the 7th Annual Halloween Beer Crawl.
If you're visiting Salinas by train, over 100 cities offer routes by Amtrak. Fewer bus lines are going to the city, provided by Amtrak Thruway. There are also Monterey-Salinas Transit services for transport inside the city.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Oxnard?
Main departure station: Transportation Center
There is one train station in Oxnard.
All train stations in Oxnard:
Transportation Center
Where is the train station in Salinas?
Main arrival station: 11 Station Pl
Salinas has one train station.
Train stations in Salinas:
11 Station Pl
Get around town with Moovit
Download Moovit to see all of your local transit options in Salinas. Download here
Need a return trip from Salinas to Oxnard?
Search Train Tickets
Wanderu is the simplest way to book coach and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare coach and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap coach and train tickets hassle-free and with no additional fees. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading coach and train companies, we always have the best coach and train deals out there.
Book coaches and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more